A/N: Okay so I'm thinking you guys are probably annoyed with me after I promised to have this up two days ago, I usually keep my promises but I keep getting sidetracked with another story I'm working on with Lil Mizz SunShyne X x . It's not up yet but we're still working on it. Oh and those of you who are still waiting on Flying into the Sunset, I'm really sorry it's been months since I last updated, I have it written out on paper, but I keep getting distracted, so I keep forgetting to type it up :s I'll get it up when I have the time to type a lot. In the meantime, you should read my other story (if you haven't already) Lukily Unlucky. It's Twilight with a slight crossover with Doctor Who, you don't even need to be familiar with DW to understand, though it helps if you've seen the episode "Blink" in season 3 of the new series.

Anyway, enough of my babbling, let's get on with the story. This chapter is rather short but not to worry, I'll try to get the next one up on Wednesday like usual :)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bella POV

Today was the day. It was the day Alice said Dana would be safe to be around.

I woke up feeling very happy. I got up and happily went through my morning routine. When I came back into my room, Edward was sitting in the rocking chair by my bed.

"You seem chipper this morning," he commented as I made my bed.

"Do I?" I asked absently.

"You seem distracted too."

"Hmm."

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing of consequence."

"Bella," he almost whined.

"What? I'm entitled to my offhand thoughts that don't need to be voiced."

"Good morning!" cried a voice at my window.

"Gah!" I was about to sit on the side of my bed when Alice startled me, and I fell right off, landing on my backside on the floor and messing up my freshly made bed.

Alice's bell-like laughter filled the room. Edward chuckled too as he helped me to my feet. I straightened out my sheets while trying to hide the deep blush coloring my face.

"Good morning, Alice," Edward said. "What brings you away from your youthful charge?"

"I'm taking Bella to a bookstore. She mentioned needing some new reading material the last time I was here and I thought that that was the sort of shopping that would get her excited."

I laughed. "I do love books just about as much as you love clothes, Alice." I went along with her line of conversation. "But there's a catch isn't there? There's no way you would spend three hours in a book store watching me pick out books."

"Of course not," said Alice. "Picking out books wouldn't last half the day. We're going shopping for clothes and shoes afterwards," she beamed happily.

I groaned good-naturedly then smiled. "We'll I do need more books, and it would make you happy."

She squealed happily and hugged me tightly. "Come on, are you ready? Let's go right now!"

"Alice," Edward said frowning. "Bella hasn't even eaten yet."

"I can get her something on the way, come on! We're burning daylight!"

I laughed at her antics. "Go wait in the car, I'll be out in a minute."

She grinned and leaped out the window.

I turned to Edward. "Why don't you go hunting while I'm out, your eyes are getting a bit dark and Alice can look after me."

He nodded. "Do one thing before you go though," he said.

"What's that?"

"Eat something."

I laughed. "Sure thing."

I stood up on my toes and kissed him, he kissed back for a moment before pulling away. Always too soon. I hid my disappointment by picking up my sweater from the floor.

I headed downstairs and went straight to the pantry. I grabbed a granola bar from the box at eye level. I tore open the package and showed it to Edward to be sure he was watching and took a bite out of it, chewed it up and swallowed.

"There, I ate something," I said with a grin. "I'll see you tonight."

He smiled and chuckled lightly before placing a chaste kiss on my lips and ushering me out the door. "Have fun."

"I'll do my best," I called, heading for Alice's Porsche.

Alice drove away at a reckless speed. She chattered on about how much fun we were going to have and all the things we were going to buy until we were several miles away from my house. She stopped at the side of the road and seemed to watch something that I couldn't see. I waited.

"Okay, let's go," she said, turning the car around and heading in the direction of her house.

"Could he really hear us all the way out here?" I asked; she had kept talking for six miles.

"He could hear me," she said. "Five miles is about his range, but I had to be sure. He's gone hunting somewhere north of Rainier."

"Oh. Was it very difficult to keep him out of your head?"

"Not really, if I just keep talking about going shopping, it's pretty easy to focus on that."

We sat in silence for a minute.

"Is there anything I have to worry about?" I asked. "You know, things I shouldn't do?"

"I don't think so, just try to stay calm and keep your heart rate steady, don't go doing anything that will make it accelerate. And as always, try not to cut yourself on anything. The best thing would be to not make any sudden decisions so that I can warn you if what you're about to do is the wrong thing to do."

"Okay, I think I can handle that."

We pulled up the Cullens' driveway and I couldn't help the bubble of excitement that grew from finally seeing my friend again and being back at this house.

"Calm, Bella," Alice warned. "Once we get inside, Jasper will be able to help with that."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay let's go."

A/N: Hope you liked it, and again I'm really sorry for the lateness. R&R!